After stone tools, textile has perhaps been the oldest industry, being in existence for as long as modern humans have been around. Clothes are considered one of the essentials for humans, apart from food, water, air, and a dwelling. Sculptures and other stone articles dated to as early as 8,000 BC hint at a rich textile culture and trade. Silk was already popular in China by 3,500 BC, while in India, it has been in wide usage since at least 2,500 BC. The silk route is perhaps the biggest evidence of a thriving textile trade in the ancient world.
Hence, with the sector advancing further, P&S Intelligence sees promising growth in the ASEAN & South Asia dyestuff for textile market in the years to come. The region is characterized by a large number of indigenous and Western textiles, which are dyed in vibrant colors. Moreover, with the growing fashion industry, the demand for textile dyes is burgeoning further. This can also be simply credited to the booming population, which is leading to an increasing demand for clothes.
Other products that contain textiles include bags, purses, quilts and blankets, bedsheets and bedcovers, cushion covers, and a whole lot of other things. Modern people are attracted to apparel with bright colors, unique designs, and quirky quotes. They generally go for textile designs and colors that say something about them or match their personalities. Therefore, with the rising demand for designer textiles, the consumption of dyestuff of various colors is booming in the region.
Another type of textiles that are growing in demand is technical textiles, which are bought for their functional characteristics, rather than their appearance and for decoration purposes. They include wall coverings, fireproofing materials, and carpets, all of which are extensively dyed. Similarly, automobiles are another area where textiles are used, majorly as seat and roof coverings (in convertibles). This is why, since the Asian region is the largest producer of automobiles, the demand for automotive textiles and, in turn, of dyestuff, is increasing here.
The various types of dyes used on textiles are reactive, disperse, vat, direct, acid, sulfur, basic, and solvent. Among these, reactive dyes are the most popular among textile manufacturers as they adhere themselves to the fabric fiber via a covalent bond, thus becoming one with the textile. This makes them more difficult to remove from the fiber, which increases the life of the cloth. Since people now mostly go for the quality of the cloth, the permanence of reactive dyes makes them hugely popular.
Apart from the rise in the population, a key reason for the growth of the ASEAN & South Asia dyestuff for textile market is the government support for this industry. For instance, in 2005, the Government of India launched the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP), wherein each textile park will have 50 production units. Moreover, in October 2021, the government issued the notification for setting up seven of these. This is being done under the larger Make in India initiative, which aims to boost local manufacturing and decrease the dependence on foreign exports.
Moreover, textile plants in several developed countries are closing because of the stringent environmental regulations there. To process a kilogram of textile, around 150 liters of water is required, which, after the process completes, becomes wastewater and pollutes the sources of freshwater. Therefore, since Asia has less-stringent environmental regulations at present, Western textile and dyestuff companies are shifting their operations here. Further, Asia offers raw materials and laborers at a low cost, which, coupled with a large customer base, offers advantages to manufacturers.
Therefore, with the growing demand for textiles, the requirement for the dyestuff used on them will increase in South Asian and ASEAN countries.
